Interstate 77 north was closed Wednesday afternoon following three separate crashes that involved a total of four tractor-trailers.

The crashes were reported around 3:45 p.m. just north of Dobson. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

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NCDOT officials estimated the entire highway may not reopen until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Northbound traffic was backed up for several miles as a result of the closure.

Troopers said the first crash happened as a car hydroplaned and hit a guardrail. Traffic began to slow down, but a tractor-trailer that wasn't able to slow down in time swerved and hit a guardrail, troopers said.

The third crash involved three other tractor-trailers, one of which ended up sandwiched underneath another, troopers said.

Northbound drivers were diverted off I-77 at Zephyr Road, exit 93. Drivers were asked to take Highway 601 north and Interstate 74 as a detour.